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Fungai Muderere
IF life gives you lemons, make some lemonade!
The above words are certainly ringing true into the ears of former Warriors midfielder Kudakwashe
“Nkembe” Mahachi who was recently compelled to come back home and join Mutare-based Premier Soccer League outfit Manica Diamonds.
This was after he was discarded by Ghana’s Medeama SC five months into his one-year contract as the club questioned his fitness levels. Before his move to Ghana, Mahachi (30) was on the sidelines waiting for the courts to clear him after allegations of child abuse and attempted murder.
Today, he is a man who speaks of loyalty and allegiance that saw him consider reuniting with his former Young Warriors coach Jairos Tapera. He worked with Tapera as a junior national team player before he burst into the senior national team setup and going to South Africa where he did duty for Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Golden Arrows and Supersport.
Tapera is the head coach at Manica Diamonds who managed to land Mahachi ahead of former champions Dynamos who were reportedly dying to have him in their books.
“Firstly, I would like to say Dynamos are a big club and I respect them. Everyone wants to play for Dynamos or Highlanders. But, I had to make a decision for me and my family and that’s why I chose Manica Diamonds. It was kind of financially reasonable for me to join Manica Diamonds and as a player, I saw something why I should choose Manica as compared to Dynamos because I worked with Jairos Tapera since I was an Under-20 player. He is the one who promoted me to the Warriors. So, I looked at that and said to myself I can work with him because he knows me,” said the Mzilikazi-bred footballer.
Asked why he also did not consider going back to Highlanders, the left footed player said: “As I said I respect Highlanders and Dynamos but for me, I would like to thank Chicken Inn because they are the ones who made me to be the guy I am now before I went to Highlanders for six months. I respect Chicken Inn, I expressed my feelings there and I played my football there. But I now need to move forward with my career.”
He said the alleged child abuse allegations gave him heartbreak.
“It made me look bad. I went to court and I was cleared and I’m back to play my football,” said Mahachi.
He said he appreciated that the pace of the local league is now faster as compared to previous years.
“It’s going to be an exciting season. The youngsters need more so as senior players we will need to guide them because they need to learn. We want them to go outside to represent our country.
Congratulations to Khama (Billiat) for joining Yadah. He is my friend and people are expecting more from us and we need to show them that we were given this football talent by God. It was not by fluke.
For us there is no pressure,” said the former Bantu Rovers, Chicken Inn and Highlanders player.
Online Reporter